Mikhayla Robinson-Smith, Athens’ poet laureate, reflects on writing, motherhood, and activism

WUGA | By Emma Auer

Published December 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM EST

A woman with long curly hair and glasses sits in a soundproof radio studio, facing a microphone. — Mikhayla Robinson-Smith at the WUGA studios in December.

Mikhayla Robinson-Smith is Athens’ second-ever poet laureate. As her term finishes at the end of this year, she sat down with WUGA’s Emma Auer to reflect on her poetic philosophy and more.

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Local News Athens Poet Laureate

Emma Auer

Emma Auer is an award-winning reporter who joined WUGA as a full-time producer in 2024. She is also a graduate student in UGA's Romance Languages Department, studying French and Spanish. She covers the breadth of Northeast Georgia stories, from Athens City Hall to Winterville farmers' markets. Emma's work has also been heard on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

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